Hogervorst, Bernas earn recognition

By Joe Naiman

The CIF Division II girls water polo coaches selected Ramona High School senior goalkeeper Tiffany Larson as the division’s Most Valuable Player while also naming senior attacker Rachel Hogervorst and junior utility player Cassie Bernas to the all-division squad.

Hogervorst joined Larson on the all-division first team while Bernas was a Division II second-team selection.

Larson is Ramona’s first all-division Most Valuable Player.

“She did a great job this year,” Williams said. “She made some huge saves for us.”

Williams also cited Larson’s leadership.

“Just really proud of her for what she did,” Williams said.

Larson and Hogervorst were Ramona’s captains for the 2012-13 season.

“I thought they did a good job of playing together and getting the team to play together,” Williams said.

Hogervorst was Ramona’s leader on offense, although Williams noted that she also had defensive skills. “On the defense she was always pretty strong,” Williams said.

Williams noted that Hogervorst did not play water polo prior to high school.

“Every year she made some huge improvements,” Williams said. “I’m really proud of her.”

Williams expects Bernas to take over the leadership role for next season.

“She always had the talent within her and she’s starting to really tap into it,” Williams said of Bernas. “I look for big things from her.”

Ramona’s 4-0 record in Valley League play gave the Bulldogs the league championship. Williams and his players subsequently won the CIF Division II championship. Including the three playoff victories, the Bulldogs’ overall season record was 22-9.